Report: DeJuan Blair to declare for the NBA draft

[MULS1999]

This is according to Gary Parrish of CBS.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11600301

[warrior_rugby15]

well thats at least one post player we don't have to worry about

[nyg]

I don't know how he will do as a pro, but he was one heck of a college player.  Seemed like he was always enjoying himself also, so good for him.

Pitt loses 4 of 5 starters and only returns SG Dixon.

[tower912]

Another really good college player who may not project well in the pros.  Is he quick enough, tall enough, athletic enough to play the 4?    May face some of the same problems as Hansborough.   6'7" ish widebodies without great range or serious hops struggle in the league.     That being said, he was a worthy opponent and I have nothing but respect for what he brought to Pitt. 

[ATWizJr]

With the right kind of coaching and hard work he could turn out to be another Barkley.

[NavinRJohnson]

Yeah he is the type of guy that makes hos living under the basket that I usually don't think will translate well to the NBA...but in his case I think he may actually be a decent NBA player. He is so damn strong and has such good feet, it will make up for some of his lack of height. I don't know what kind of point totals he will put up, I have no doubt he will be the same rebounding machine there that he was in college.

Johnny Flynn...you're next.

[Pakuni]

With the right kind of coaching and hard work he could turn out to be another Barkley.

Not sure he's nearly as athletic as Barkley. He could just as easily be another Robert Traylor.
Perhaps the best comparison would be Corliss "Big Nasty" Williamson.

[reinko]

Johnny Flynn...you're next.

Should be any day now, dude is a stud and a lottery pick.

[MR.HAYWARD]

My comparison would have been to Corliss Williamson too.  i think Blair is alot more athletic than people give him credit for, in college with his strentght he was most effective 5 feet nd in from the rim.  In the pros if he can develop his handle and becoem more consistant on that 15 footer he can be around for along time.   Fit into that undonis haslem type role.

[lurch91]

If he can move his feet well on defense and rebound, he just might be the next Ben Wallace (but I think Ben has a few inches on him - which would make it difficult for Blair to gaurd any type of center).

[Brewtown Andy]

If he can move his feet well on defense and rebound, he just might be the next Ben Wallace (but I think Ben has a few inches on him - which would make it difficult for Blair to gaurd any type of center).

2 inches, if you believe official numbers.

[Avenue Commons]

With the right kind of coaching and hard work he could turn out to be another Barkley.

I was going to say the same thing about Barkley. Not saying that Blair would be the same caliber as Chuck (a HoF'er), but that a quick, wide, undersized 3/4 can make an impact in the NBA.

[mosarsour]

Although he may be listed at 6'7, his wingspan easily adds 3 inches to his height. I think he'll be a decent pro.

[lab_warrior]

I think Blair will make a pretty good pro...he translates to an Elton Brand-type player.  Clearly can play in the post right now, and has all 82 games to develop outside shots and a face to the basket game.  Dude is already a rebounding and inside scoring BEAST.  Even if he's a little undersized, his strength makes up for it. 
I'd be real shocked if Flynn didn't declare, either...there may not be a better time than now for him, his stock can't get much higher.

[pbiflyer]

Johnny Flynn...you're next.

After watching him in person the 1st couple rounds of the NCAAs, I certainly hope he goes pro.

[Mayor McCheese]

Although he may be listed at 6'7, his wingspan easily adds 3 inches to his height. I think he'll be a decent pro.

People also gave Sean May a chance.... and he turned out to be?

I have low expectations of him in the NBA, but hell, if someone is willing to pay you guaranteed millions, why not.

[MR.HAYWARD]

I think another apt compariosn is David West.  West played primarily in the paint as a bruiser in college, as did Williamson, as did Blair.  If you are big enough and strong enough to control the paint in college why not do it?  but those types of guys cannot do the same things in the pros, if they have the quickness of a willimason, a barkley or a west, they can be matchup beasts at the 3/4.  i beleive Blair has the athleticism to do just he same types of things.  he will probably need a year or two to more finely tune those shooting and ball handling skils to play that way though.  another apt compariosn that i think of as i type is Big Baby davis, basically a under the rim 5 in collge, is now all over the court playing the 3 thru 5 for the celtics and dropping shots from 20' and in.  Players skills advance exponentially in the NBA if the guys are deadicated to improving their skills 7 days a week for about 9 months to work on nothing but your game.  Remeber patrick Ewings skills in college?  compare that to his pro game, throw in Sam perkins as example B.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

He's probably as athletic as Kevin Love. (maybe even more )

Blair might not have Love's overall talent... but as a rookie Love is averaging a double double (close anyways). Blair could be easily a guy like that.

He could end up like Tractor, but tractor always had weight, effort, and defensive issues. If you watch Blair, he doesn't appear to have any effort or defensive issues (weight remains to be seen).

[ATWizJr]

He's probably as athletic as Kevin Love. (maybe even more )

Blair might not have Love's overall talent... but as a rookie Love is averaging a double double. Blair could be easily a guy like that.

He could end up like Tractor, but tractor always had weight, effort, and defensive issues. If you watch Blair, he doesn't appear to have any effort or defensive issues (weight remains to be seen).

He has big bones.

[MR.HAYWARD]

he could be thre tractor taylor of the 2000's, but like I said if he has the dedication to develop his skills and yes keep fit.  Someone who is not dedicated will not propser at that level.  Some kids are so incredibly blessed with athleticism and natural talent they can succeed in collge with out that supreme work ethic, that becomes supremely more difficult as one takes the next step up the ladder into the NBA.  see tractor traylor, see stanley roberts, see many many more..

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

One thing about Blair is I think he's smart. I remember him being interviewed after taking Thabeet part in their first matchup and he mentioned how he studied how to beat larger opponents in the post and get them into foul trouble. He's a big boy, that's for sure. But as long as he isn't a discipline problem, I'd take a flyer on him. These young guys are always going to take a few years to mature anyway.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

He could end up like Tractor, but tractor always had weight, effort, and defensive issues. If you watch Blair, he doesn't appear to have any effort or defensive issues (weight remains to be seen).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2742921

Hopefully Blair doesn't end up being convicted by the Feds like Tractor was.

[bilsu]

I think his draft status will go down, if he stays in college. NBA seems to value youth over experience.

[lurch91]

I think his draft status will go down, if he stays in college. NBA seems to value youth over experience.

I think the NBA and most pro league reward potential.  The longer they have to evaluate someone, the more known their potential truely is.  Just like when DJ was rumored to be a first round draft pick after his freshman year, the hype starts high and normally tails off as more is known about a player.

[patso]

Danny Fortson